Rhi-Peating Swings: The King

03.25.2014

By:Rhiona Sullivan

Some days I can’t believe this is actually my life. That I’ve been able to do and see the things I have during the short time I’ve existed on this planet. There are days I get frustrated with life (and work!) and days I cry for the things that didn’t turn out the way I’d planned. But those days are few and far between.

I live a fortunate life. I have a job I love, a place to live (near the beach!), a dog that keeps me company and friends I wouldn’t trade for the world. I am lucky. So very lucky. So, as you read what I am about to write below, know that I know how freakin’ awesome it all is.

The #ZooCrew packed up shop and headed to Orlando a few weeks ago for the first #KingsOfDistance event (thanks @AnnikaAcademy for hosting us). This also happened to be the first time we’ve ever attempted to LIVE STREAM an event on our website.

The live stream event was made up of our hugely talented, high comedy Tour professionals as they competed in a skills challenge – MC’d by none other than @HarryArnettCG. What was the skills challenge you ask? Closest to the target – 190 yards out. The target? @EthanatorCG – yep, can’t make this up.

These guys are good… at golf, jokes and pleasing a crowd. Honestly, I didn’t think it was possible to have so much fun. We recorded the event and posted it for the entire world to watch, over and over again. It’s that good.

Harry shares a few laughs with the pros.

Woodland (left) and Colsaerts (right) take aim at Ethan.

I can’t thank our Tour staff enough for having so much fun with us. It’s one thing to get to watch these guys play golf, it’s an entirely different experience to watch them be themselves and let loose. {See lucky comment above. Yep. Totally. Lucky.}

So, here’s where the story goes from lucky to just surreal… like, I am literally the luckiest girl on the planet.

I met a man.
Yes, he’s bit older than me.
Yes, he lives in another state.
Yes, he asked me to hop up in his golf cart.
Yes, his name is Arnold Palmer.

The King & I.

Okay, I was trying to turn this into a love story – not shocking – but this is what really happened.

A few months back, we met with The Golf Channel about a documentary that was in production. They wanted to know if we’d be interested in sponsoring the documentary, Arnie. Uh, hello?!

A documentary on the life of Arnold Palmer? Of course we’re in! Mr. Palmer has been a Callaway Ambassador and part of our family for such a long time – there was no chance we’d pass up this opportunity.

Being that we’re the #ZooCrew, we never just do the standard. We go big. Not big like flashy plane rides or street takeovers. Big as in we think about what we as consumers and golf enthusiasts would want to see from this partnership and then we make it happen. Blow it up and keep it going.

So, a behind the scenes look at a legend? Why, yes please. An informal conversation between two lovers of the game? We’d listen to that. An amazing setting at one of the best tournaments on the Tour? All in.

Harry and Mr. Palmer.

So that’s how I ended up at the Lexington Cottage at Bay Hill, listening to Arnold Palmer talk. And talk. And talk. I could’ve sat there all day and never tired of listening to his stories. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of knowing you’re in the presence of greatness, and that you’re pretty damn lucky to be there.

The view from Lexington Cottage.

FOOTNOTE

We’re super excited to share all the cool things we captured with you but you’ll have to give us a few weeks. Like we’re going to cap off the most exciting week in golf with more excitement! You should totally check it out. In April.

SPECIAL THANKS

Hats off to the crew at the Golf Channel for the help! And a huge thank you to @coribritt for giving us access to Mr. Palmer and being beyond accommodating. You’re the keeper of once in a lifetime experiences.